Professor in construction economics and business model transformation

Karlstad University; Lahti; Hybrid; EUR 50 000 - 105 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international university in Lahti is seeking a Professor in construction economics and business model transformation. The role involves leading a new civil engineering department, focusing on technology-driven growth and infrastructure resilience. Ideal candidates are expected to have expertise in construction economics and demonstrated teaching skills. This position offers a competitive salary, flexible working arrangements, and excellent employee benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexibility in working hours

Professional development support

Occupational health care

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in classical models of construction economics.
• Experience with digitalisation of construction projects or services.
• Able to manage an academic research team.

Responsibilities

• Lead an interdisciplinary research group in construction economics.
• Develop new academic programs and courses in civil engineering.
• Collaborate with other departments on research initiatives.

Skills

Expertise in construction economics

Digitalisation of construction projects

Fluency in English

Other language skills

Education

Doctoral diploma

Job description

Overview

Professor in construction economics and business model transformation

LUT University has been a pioneering scientific university, bringing together the fields of science and business since 1969.

Assistant/associate/full professor of construction economics and business model transformation

We are launching a civil engineering department on LUT University’s Lahti campus. We are looking for trailblazers to lead the way in an interdisciplinary research environment. The Department of Civil Engineering will be launched at the LUT School of Energy Systems in 2026. Bachelor’s studies will start in August 2027 and master’s studies in August 2028. The focus areas of the new department are technology-driven growth, business model transformation, and infrastructure resilience, with a commitment to advancing the global competitiveness of the construction industry.

Creating a world where the built environment thrives and people flourish

The professorship will be located at the Department of Civil Engineering on LUT’s Lahti campus. The research group led by the professor will collaborate closely with other professors and teams at the Department of Civil Engineering and with professors in energy technology, sustainability science, social sciences, industrial engineering and management, and business administration.

Applicants must have demonstrated expertise in at least one of the following fields of construction economics:

• classical models of construction economics
• digitalisation of construction projects or digitalised services

You will be academically and financially in charge of your own research team. Fluency in English is required. Other language skills are considered an advantage.

We are looking for someone who is ready to embrace LUT's values and strategy and eager to work towards interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary practices. We offer a unique opportunity to contribute to creating LUT’s new civil engineering community from the very beginning.

The role combines remote and on-site work, with regular presence required at our Lahti campus. We offer excellent employee benefits, flexible working arrangements, and strong support for professional development and networking.

The professorship will be filled through an open application process, with a fixed four-year term for the assistant/associate professor level or a permanent appointment for the full professor level. A six-month trial period applies.

The salary is determined according to the salary system for university teaching and research personnel. The pay includes an individual pay component based on performance and competence. The gross annual salary of an assistant/associate professor ranges from 50,500 to 68,000 euros and that of a full professor from 70,000 to 104,800 euros, depending on qualifications and experience. In addition to a competitive salary, benefits include a holiday bonus, generous holiday entitlement, a research incentive scheme with personal rewards for high-quality publications, flexible working hours, occupational health care, a collegial work environment, and continued commitment to support, learning, training, and development.

For further information about the position, you can reach Development Director Kirsi Taivalantti on specific dates/times via phone or email.

Please submit your application by October 6, 2025, at 12:00 noon (Finnish local time, UTC+3). Submit your application and all required attachments by filling out the online form. All application documents must be in English and in PDF format.

The application must include the following:

• a copy of the applicant's doctoral diploma
• a full list of publications, including total publications in Scopus, total citations, h-index and Scopus ID, and equivalent information from Google Scholar
• a separate list of maximum 10 publications selected for expert evaluation
• the 10 publications mentioned above
• a teaching portfolio or an equivalent account of the applicant's teaching qualifications, presenting courses taught, related feedback, pedagogical training and teaching philosophy, and courses the applicant can or prefers to teach
• an account of the applicant's merits and activities of significance to the vacancy (max. 3 pages)
• an account of the applicant’s vision on the development of education, research and projects in the field of the professorship at LUT University (max. 3 pages).

Please specify the tenure track level to which you are applying. Submit your application well before the deadline to allow time for uploading all attachments. Also, ensure you submit only one application.

Note: LUT University is committed to solving global issues with expertise in technology, business, and social sciences, and seeks solutions to energy transition and sustainable development.

Job details

Title: Professor in construction economics and business model transformation

Closing on: 2025-10-06 (Europe/Helsinki)